Question

The nurse has completed teaching with a client about warfarin (Coumadin). The client has ordered lunch. Which meal choice by the client indicates understanding of the teaching?

Select one:
a. Tuna casserole, spinach salad and iced tea.
b. Fresh broccoli salad with baked fish and fried potatoes.
c. Chicken salad on kale leaves with diet Coke.
d. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and cottage cheese salad

Answer 1

The correct meal choice indicating an understanding of warfarin treatment is 'd. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and cottage cheese salad' because it has a lower vitamin K content than other options. Pharmacogenomics can be used to personalize warfarin dosages by analyzing a patient's genetic liver function.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is about understanding dietary choices while being treated with warfarin (Coumadin), which is an anticoagulant medication. People on warfarin should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K, which the body uses in the clotting process. Foods high in vitamin K, like spinach and kale, can affect the efficacy of warfarin and should be eaten in moderation and with consistency to avoid altering the drug's effect.

The meal choice that indicates understanding of the teaching would be 'd. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and cottage cheese salad'. This choice is appropriate as it is low in vitamin K, compared to the other options which contain foods high in vitamin K like spinach, broccoli, and kale.

Pharmacogenomics could be used to assist patients taking warfarin by analyzing their genetic makeup to understand how their liver will metabolize the medication. This information helps tailor the dosage to the individual's metabolism, which could prevent overdose and lead to more effective treatment outcomes.